Discovery Communications

(Newser) -
Discovery Communications will buy Scripps Networks for close to $12 billion, tying together two powerful stables of TV shows ranging from Animal Planet to the Food Network. The deal, announced Monday, puts the combined company in a strong position to draw female viewers, per the AP . The Wall Street Journal ...
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SNL Kagan analyst: Are we looking at 'Oprah's last chapter'?

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Yet more bad news for the Oprah Winfrey Network: SNL Kagan estimates that its losses could hit $142.9 million this year. Low ratings and bad press could make trouble with advertisers as well as cable operators, says an analyst at the research and investment firm. "We're expecting...
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It will be up against plenty of competition, high channel number

(Newser) -
The Oprah Winfrey Network is ready to launch January 1, following three years of planning and delays. It will face competition from at least 12 other networks targeting the same female audience, but supporters say it stands out from the rest thanks to, well, Oprah. The Los Angeles Times looks...
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James J. Lee hated network for encouraging population growth

(Newser) -
The gunman shot dead after taking hostages at Discovery Communications headquarters yesterday hated the network's shows because he believed they promoted population growth. James J. Lee—who had a history of protesting around Discovery HQ —demanded an end to shows like Kate Plus 8 and 19 Kids and Counting...
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Suspect objected to network's programming

(Newser) -
Police shot and killed an armed man who took three people hostage in the Discovery Channel network's headquarters in suburban Washington today. All of the hostages escaped safely. Authorities say an explosive device may have detonated during the shooting, and other explosives may still be in the building.
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He's well-known around Discovery HQ

(Newser) -
This is apparently the mindset of the hostage-taker police are negotiating with at Discovery Channel headquarters: "All programs on Discovery Health-TLC must stop encouraging the birth of any more parasitic human infants and the false heroics behind those actions." The suspect identified as James J. Lee, 43, wrote...
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Series reportedly titled 'Sarah Palin's Alaska'

(Newser) -
Sarah Palin's Alaska is looking more and more like a sure thing: Discovery Communications has edged out rival A&E in bidding for the show, the Hollywood Reporter notes. Palin doesn't come cheap: If Discovery pays anything close to her $1.2 million per episode asking price, the former governor's...
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Move will wound ABC, CBS—and Winfrey?

(Newser) -
Oprah's decision to end her network show in 2011 is a risky bet on cable TV that will cost CBS millions of dollars and ABC stations millions of viewers. Oprah will concentrate solely on her long-delayed cable channel, OWN, though it’s not clear how yet. She’s told her...
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Discovery Channel to media mogul: 'Move it or lose it'

(Newser) -
The long-awaited launch of Oprah's cable network is set for early 2011, and her syndicated talk show will move to the new Oprah Winfrey Network—and from Chicago to Los Angeles. The switch from Discovery Health Channel to OWN was originally set for mid-2009, and Discovery threatened to rescind the...
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(Newser) -
Discovery Communications will go public, upping the media company’s ability to make deals while opening it to shareholder and Wall Street opinion. The “MythBusters” and “LA Ink” broadcaster will be able to spend more on new programming and acquire other businesses more readily. Analysts expect shares to...
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